Duke men's basketball opponent preview: Army

Freshman Kon Knueppel will look to continue making an impact against Army.
Freshman Kon Knueppel will look to continue making an impact against Army.

As Duke men's basketball prepares for the second game of its season, the Blue Zone is here with an overview of Army along with an X-factor for each team:

Overview

2024-25 record: 1-0

Head coach: Kevin Kuwik

Series history: Duke leads 8-0

Last meeting: 82-56 Duke, Nov. 12, 2021

Army enters Cameron Indoor Stadium off a string of difficult seasons. The Black Knights have had a historically mediocre men’s basketball team, with only three winning seasons in the past eight years. Army has never reached the finals of its former conference — the Patriot League — since the league’s creation in the 1990-91 season. However, the Black Knights may have the opportunity to turn over a new leaf this year as their head coach enters his second season.

Former head coach Jimmy Allen was replaced by newcomer Kevin Kuwik in March 2023 after seven seasons at the helm. Kuwik had been coaching college basketball since 1998, and though he had never worked as a head coach prior to taking the job at Army, he helped lead his former schools — including Davidson, Dayton and Ohio — to several March Madness appearances. Although his first year with Army yielded less-than-desirable results, Kuwick is one to keep an eye on as he gains his footing as coach.

This will be the eighth time that the Black Knights have met the Blue Devils in basketball, and Duke has won every time the two teams play. The Blue Devils will look to continue their 28-year winning streak against Mike Krzyzewski’s alma mater in Friday’s battle of ages. Duke’s starting lineup is filled with superstar freshmen — including Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach — while Army’s consists mainly of seasoned seniors, such as AJ Allenspach, Jalen Rucker and Blake Barker. However, the Black Knights have had significant turnover in the past few years, including Rucker’s unsuccessful attempt to transfer for the 2023-24 season. Hence, although Army has more experience, it may lack the strong team chemistry to break through the tight-knit Blue Devils.

The chances for a Black Knight upset remain slim this Friday, especially against a stronger-than-ever Duke. Army’s best shot at keeping up lies in sophomore Josh Scovens, who has strong shooting capability. Combined with his tall stature, Scovens has the strongest chance against the unstoppable Knueppel and Flagg. 

X-Factor

Duke: Kon Knueppel

If Knueppel is still adjusting to being a forward, no one can tell. The 6-foot-7 Milawukee native led the scoreboard in the Blue Devils’ match against Maine with 22 points, including three 3-pointers, each made with an unwavering fire and determination. Knueppel could not be stopped. The freshmen guard/forward initially received less spotlight than his fellow first-years, but Knueppel has proven that what he may have lacked in athletic prowess compared to his classmates Flagg and Malauch, he makes up for in hustle.

"He's one of the best guys in the country," junior Tyrese Proctor said of Knueppel after facing Arizona State. “He's confident, he puts the work in and he's gonna make it."

Knueppel also stunned in exhibition games against Arizona State and Lincoln (Pa.), with 19 and 17 points respectively. In the game against the Sun Devils, Knueppel truly cemented himself as a key member of the squad, as he was the only starting member not taken off the court by head coach Jon Scheyer in the first ten minutes of the contest. In the game against Army, Knueppel will look to imbue his playing with tenacity and spirit, while keeping the energy high for his fellow Blue Devils.

Army: Josh Scovens

The sophomore forward returns to his home state in his second season for the Black Knights. The Greensboro, N.C., native had a standout freshman season, leading the 2023-24 Army squad in points and playtime. Scovens ended the season with a whopping 384 points, 58 points ahead of the second highest-scorer and fellow sophomore Ryan Curry. With this, the 6-foot-6 forward looks to lead the Black Knight charge against the Blue Devils. With already impressive shooting statistics from Duke freshmen Flagg and Knueppel, the Black Knights’ best shot at keeping up with the Blue Devils is Scovens’ scoring prowess.

Scovens key to success also lies in his experience. Although he has only been with the Army for one year, Duke’s high freshmen turnover rate to the NBA means that its starters are often almost entirely freshmen. Scovens is smart — he wants to be a pediatrician someday — and he’ll have to harness his experience and IQ to play a careful game against the Blue Devils Friday.

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